I have always been in awe of wooden windmills, from the first time I, as a child, attempted to paint a Dutch country side with a windmills-dotted skyline to the time when I visited a windmill-turned-brewery (Browerij’t IJ) in Amsterdam on my student trip in 2011. My short time in Amsterdam had not given me the scope to visit any other windmills around the area and my awe persisted. In my recent Euro-trip, I decided to get a closure on my infatuation and visit the Dutch countryside teeming with these imposing wooden structures. The visit turned out to be much more than windmills and alas, my love for the Dutch countryside continues…In Netherlands, there are two very popular neighborhoods which have been protected and preserved to display the Dutch way of living and trades and crafts from rural Netherlands. One is Kinderdijk (near Rotterdam) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other is Zaanse Schans (near Amsterdam). We decided on Zaanse Schans because it was easier for us travel-wise. We took a bus from Stuttgart to Amsterdam and then bought an Amsterdam & Region Travel Pass, which covers a lot of neighborhoods around Amsterdam including the famous Keukenhof tulip gardens and Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is a short 45 mins trip from Amsterdam Central by bus.We had booked an Airbnb accommodation in Zaandijk, very close to the site of Zaanse Schaans. After freshening up, we took our bicycles and made our way to the site. It was very windy and our hair was windswept. As we neared the place, a strong odour accosted us. We were to find out later that it was the emissions from the chocolate and starch factories in the region.We had a preconceived picture of a few windmills and wooden houses that we would get to see at the site. But the scene that welcomed us transported us immediately to the industrial age in Netherlands. It is like an open-air museum with bakery, cheese factory, clog-making warehouse and wooden houses with barns and working-windmills on the banks of river Zaan that flows in the area. It indeed looked like a painting.Read More

I have always been in awe of wooden windmills, from the first time I, as a child, attempted to paint a Dutch country side with a windmills-dotted skyline to the time when I visited a windmill-turned-brewery (Browerij’t IJ) in Amsterdam on my student trip in 2011. My short time in Amsterdam had not given me the scope to visit any other windmills around the area and my awe persisted. In my recent Euro-trip, I decided to get a closure on my infatuation and visit the Dutch countryside teeming with these imposing wooden structures. The visit turned out to be much more than windmills and alas, my love for the Dutch countryside continues…In Netherlands, there are two very popular neighborhoods which have been protected and preserved to display the Dutch way of living and trades and crafts from rural Netherlands. One is Kinderdijk (near Rotterdam) which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other is Zaanse Schans (near Amsterdam). We decided on Zaanse Schans because it was easier for us travel-wise. We took a bus from Stuttgart to Amsterdam and then bought an Amsterdam & Region Travel Pass, which covers a lot of neighborhoods around Amsterdam including the famous Keukenhof tulip gardens and Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is a short 45 mins trip from Amsterdam Central by bus.We had booked an Airbnb accommodation in Zaandijk, very close to the site of Zaanse Schaans. After freshening up, we took our bicycles and made our way to the site. It was very windy and our hair was windswept. As we neared the place, a strong odour accosted us. We were to find out later that it was the emissions from the chocolate and starch factories in the region.We had a preconceived picture of a few windmills and wooden houses that we would get to see at the site. But the scene that welcomed us transported us immediately to the industrial age in Netherlands. It is like an open-air museum with bakery, cheese factory, clog-making warehouse and wooden houses with barns and working-windmills on the banks of river Zaan that flows in the area. It indeed looked like a painting.

The first step in planning for a trip is deciding the itinerary and the ways to travel. I was travelling in the month of February and the ticket were comparatively cheaper as it was the low season and that really helped. I bought a 15 day EuroLines bus pass. The pass allows you to travel by any EuroLines bus across Europe in that 15 day period without any extra charge. The pass can be bought at the following rates (Youth- 26 years or Less):Read More

The first step in planning for a trip is deciding the itinerary and the ways to travel. I was travelling in the month of February and the ticket were comparatively cheaper as it was the low season and that really helped. I bought a 15 day EuroLines bus pass. The pass allows you to travel by any EuroLines bus across Europe in that 15 day period without any extra charge. The pass can be bought at the following rates (Youth- 26 years or Less):

Amsterdam is not a city but an experience. From artsy museums and Anne Frank house to the very famous red light district & up beat smoke joints , it is this paradox that defines the unique character of Amsterdam.It is impossible to cover everything in Amsterdam in two-three days, given the sheer number of museums & cafes & activities.Here are some tips that made our backpacking easy on the pockets.1. Staying near the airport: Though 20 kms from the city center, we had no difficulty in commuting due to free airport shuttles and metro. There are many hotels and hostels to choose from and helped us save few bucks.2. Getting a day/2 day pass: When in Europe; Never ever; travel by cabs. The infrastructure is so amazing that you can travel by public transport w/o any hassle. There are many cards that you can purchase depending on the number of days and places you want to visit. More info: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/plan-your-trip/getting-around/public-transport3.Falafel, falafel & more falafel: Forget gourmet restaurants & refined cuisines, learn to live on falafel, fries & other street foods. It is okay to visit an Indian restaurant, once in a while, to satiate your tangy taste buds.4.Biking is the way of life: Do not opt for guided closed bus tours (Not sure if they are present in Amsterdam. But thumb rule for all travel. No hop on hop off tours) Instead, rent a bike from any bike rental company. You can ride through main square, Jewish quarter,flea market. Taking a canal ride is also a great option, especially if you love to have the wind in your hair and want to know a little bit about the place.Day 1:We were welcomed by heavy showers. However, the beautiful city doesn't let your spirits dampen. Amsterdam is quintessential European city adorned with long canals and medieval architecture. What sets this city apart is the boundless liberty of indulgence it offers to all who visit. Be it smoking joints or dark alleys of red light district, Amsterdam makes it all classy.As the rain abated, we spent the evening enjoying some delicious fries, walking in dam square,listening to some fabulous street artists, exploring the overcrowded red light district; in short, just taking in the spirit of this amazing city.Day 2:For artsy fellows, there are numerous museums this city has to offer; The most significant of them all being the Van Gogh Museum displaying some of Van Gogh's biggest works. Make sure to book the tickets online to avoid long queues.For lesser mortals like us, we headed to Vondelpark to immerse in the sunny day. After a sumptuous lunch at the Indian restaurant near Central , we headed to Anne Frank's house only to be greeted by long queues. Anne Frank's house is the mecca for avid book readers, for she has left an everlasting impression on the world with her mere words. A little girl who , in her 2 years of forced hiding, penned down a beautiful story of hope, despair , longing and an invincible spirit of human existence. It is amazing to see the well preserved rooms and secret annex, indeed a commendable effort.After a somber mood, we headed to the Heineken experience. It is indeed a beautiful interactive experience for connoisseurs.The advantage of having the 1/2 day pass is you can just hop on a tram and go wide and far in Amsterdam. We did the same and discovered a beautiful lake unknown in some suburb of the city. We spent out evening on the shore of this serene lake with no soul in sight, a welcoming change from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam.Day 3:

Backpacking is indeed the best way to travel Europe. This year , we decided to chase the sun across 7 cities, 6 countries in less than 2 weeks. Each country with it's own distinctive flavor and an adventure associated with each one of them. The itinerary was as follows: Amsterdam-Copenhagen-Malmo-Hamburg-Berlin- Prague.Amsterdam:

AmsterdamAmsterdam was nothing short of a fairy tale town for me. The beautiful gabled houses with rhythm of windows spanning building facades, flowered deck watersides, people riding bicycle with their easy going attitude, and the rich art and history it holds are few of the things that made it a special destination for me. It was as if someone had brought a story of a beautiful city to life.As I walked out of the airport, the feeling of being alone in a foreign land suddenly kicked in. I was staying with a friend in Amstelveen which was lush green with perfect setting to call it home. The best way to explore Amsterdam is to take a free walking tours. One can also rent a bicycle to ride around the city or use the tram system which covers major attractions.As I started my day, I first visited Museumpline which is known to house some of the amazing museums such as Van Gough Museum and Rijksmuseum. It is huge open garden with museums all around it and a pool at the end. There was a flea market on Sunday and lot of people were out enjoying, dancing, and having a good time.

5 | Berlin + Amsterdam (& DUTCH COUNTRYSIDE)Offering far more than Checkpoint Charlie and the Berlin Wall, Berlin has become an eclectic city full of artists and creatives. Offering everything from partying in an abandon-then-reclaimed train station called Cassiopeia, a vibrant weekend scene at Mauer Park with food vendors and live music, or strolls the gardens of Potsdam. Move on to the canals of Amsterdam for amazing Dutch food, fantastic museums and the always conversation-worthy Red Light District. A day spent biking through the Dutch countryside is one you won’t forget either. Great for history, museum and culture lovers (party goers too, if that’s what you want!). By train: 6 hr 21 min.

Amsterdam is quite a developed and beautiful city. It’s posh and well maintained. It sees tourists not just from it’s own continent, but from all over the world. A newbie would of course need help. But what can be better than self-help ????“FREE WIFI”Keep your mobile on and charged, for almost the whole city is wifi-ed, and at 90% of the places you will find a free connectable wifi network available. Either you would directly be connected, or the wifi would ask you to sign-up with your fb account or with you email id. Please make sure that this facility is utilised to your level best, for it is given to be used and taken advantage of.Also, before coming to Amsterdam(or even any place in the world), switch on the map history of the maps app of your mobile and search the area you are visiting. This way, you will be able to geo-locate the city in few seconds when you actually reach there.You may walk a lot to save few euros in Amsterdam, but then again you may get lost. Maps+GPS+Wifi are a boon there.But then, there might be places where the connectivity is intermittent or you only end up seeing-“Obtaining ip address…”. For those cases, and an ever easing offline option, the best option is :“Using Google Maps to the best of your advantage”Get a snapshot of the map with the nearest landmark.Since I had to reach the Hostel Leidseplein, I had taken a snapshot of the ways of reaching my hostel in the following ways:

Commutation from Paris:We travelled from Paris to Amsterdam by overnight bus. There are lot of buses from Paris to Amsterdam. There are Thalys trains running between Paris and Amsterdam .Booked prior you can get good price tickets. Accommodation: There are many budget hotels available Places to Visit: 1)City tour on cycle.(You can get many cycle tours online or there is one tour outside Amstel stations) 2)Canal Cruise 3)zaanse schans windmill village(Awesome place) total country side.Place where you can get wooden shoes,variety of Cheese,Waffels.

How to reach: The only expensive transport cost that we incurred was from munich to amsterdam. We took City Night Line train (CNL) book your train tickets from www.bahn.de or www.bahn.com. Advice pls book your tickets well in advance. Tickets for two was around 200 euros.
Place to stay: booked a loft through airbnb and Hans Brinker budget Hotel.
Places to see: There are many places to see in amsterdam but it depends on what you are fond of. We are not too fond of Museums on top of it you have to stand in line for hours. Howsoever, you can visit Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Heineken Brewery, Canal Cruise, Chill out in Vondelpark, Dam Square, Madame Tussauds, Red light Area & I AMSTERDAM sign.
Cheap Eats: Febo outlets here you can buy a chicken/pork/beef/lamb burger for only 2 euros. Vlaams Frites (famous dutch french fries dipped in mayonnaise). If you are fond of beef you will find several outlets of Argentinian steak houses. Wok to Walk budget Asian food joints.
Retail Therapy: Magna Plaza, Leidsestraat, Kalverstraat, Albert Cuypmarkt, Leidseplein/Rembrandtplein
Tips: You can rent a bike for a day and roam in the whole city. We discovered amsterdam on foot all by ourselves. Here is one helpful tip - Coffeshop in amsterdam sell hash & weed and more stuff that you need. Brown Cafes will actually serve you coffee. GreyArea is one of famous coffeeshops. Bulldog is one of the oldest coffeshops in the city however, it is now overrated. Lot of other stuff is also available try them at your own risk..truffles,space cake and many more.

6. Le Chatelain Boutique Hotel, BrusselsIf a city escape is on your mind, then a five-star in the heart of Brussels should top your list. Le Chatelain is just as fancy as it sounds. With boutique interiors and gourmet cuisine, this hotel knows how to make you feel special.Location: 17 Rue de Châtelain, Elsene / Ixelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tariff: Rs 12,000 for an executive double roomRead More

6. Le Chatelain Boutique Hotel, BrusselsIf a city escape is on your mind, then a five-star in the heart of Brussels should top your list. Le Chatelain is just as fancy as it sounds. With boutique interiors and gourmet cuisine, this hotel knows how to make you feel special.Location: 17 Rue de Châtelain, Elsene / Ixelles, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tariff: Rs 12,000 for an executive double room

We visited Brussels just for one day.From Amsterdam there are trains and buses to Brussels.If booked early we do have thalys trains which are faster and you get at low rates.Train tickets cost you something between 30-35 Euro one way.
If travelling by train just outside Main station you get Hop and hop off buses which has three routes you can choose any or all.They cost you around 23 Euro Per person.
Places to visit:
1) Atomium-It comprises nine 18 metre diameter steel spheres connected by tupes, all of which contain exhibits.It looks good from outside.Even surrounding area is pretty good.
2)Mini Europe--Timings are from 10 to 5:Last entry at 4:30.Its just behind the Atomium and lot of chances of you missing it as there are no big hording with its name.We missed it due that .
3)Grand-Place--As we know Brussels famous for their chocolates this square has lot of chocolate shops and Godiva is the famous one among it.You can taste different kind of chocolates.
4)Beer Tours-There are beer tour which takes you different bars from oldest one to the ones which came up recently.for beer tasting.They have fixed timings.So will suggest to book it prior you go there.
5)Chocolate Tours-There are couple of chocolate tour but my suggestion will be book it online before you visit Brussels as there if you ask locals they are not aware about it much and due to that we missed taking tour.
6)Manneken-Pis--I personally didn't find it interesting but its a famous tourist attractions on the tours.Its at such a place that you might not realize that you passed by the tourist attraction.
Also you will find the many waffles shops around the city and i tell you.You must try one you get lot of variety with hell lot of toppings over it.
My suggestion to whoever travelling on their should plan which all things you need to cover and cover them first and rest of the things if time permits you can go for it.Any walking tour you planning to take up book before hand don't keep it for last moment.It will be much organised.

After several visits in Brussels, I must confess: my trips don’t always involve shopping. I also like to widen my horizons and cultivate myself a bit. Even though Brussels is not a very big city, it has a major role in the European Union and a great history to discover. In general it is quite a young city with a lot going on in terms of exhibitions, art, culture, music… People are open minded, very nice and will make you feel very welcome. If you’re in the Belgian Capital for a short week-end, you should start by taking a walk in the historic centre and enjoy the architecture, the decor and Belgian atmosphere.

On the way back to Rotterdam, everyone slept in the car but I was awake. I was awake because I had a lot to be grateful for today. I realized that the things you want dearly may be are denied to you only temporarily, may be they come back to you in a way that proves to be much better than it would have been earlier and that ultimately no one except God can deny you the happiness you want for yourself.Read More

On the way back to Rotterdam, everyone slept in the car but I was awake. I was awake because I had a lot to be grateful for today. I realized that the things you want dearly may be are denied to you only temporarily, may be they come back to you in a way that proves to be much better than it would have been earlier and that ultimately no one except God can deny you the happiness you want for yourself.